Northwich RNLI volunteers mark 100 years supporting lifeboat crews

The Northwich Royal National Lifeboat Association’s (RNLI) Fundraising Committee has been doing all it can to help fill the lifeboat charity’s coffers for exactly 100 years.

Its work is vital as the RNLI receives no statutory funding, relying solely on volunteers fundraising and its iconic lifeboat-shaped collection boxes in pubs, shops, and other businesses.

Members of the Northwich fundraising branch held a special 100th anniversary celebration dinner at The Clock Tower pub in Northwich on Tuesday, May 7, made all the more special by the fact the RNLI itself also turns 200 this year.

The dinner was attended by national RNLI ambassador, Chris Smith, who’s visiting all parts of the UK and Ireland to make contact with lifeboat stations and fundraising branches as part of its Connecting Communities project.

National RNLI ambassador, Chris Smith (left) with Northwich committee chairman, Graham Humphries (Image: John Nattrass)

He’s carrying a scroll which is being signed by a representative of each station or branch visited, which will be kept as a record of the charity’s activities in its 200th year. 

Northwich RNLI branch secretary and treasurer, John Nattrass, said: “We had such a great time. It was a relatively low-key affair, but everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed it.

“The staff at the Clock Tower looked after us extremely well.

Member of Northwich RNLI Fundraising Committee 100 years after it was founded (Image: John Nattrass)

“We’ve been digging into the history of the Northwich branch as part of our centenary celebration, and we’ve uncovered some fascinating things.

“When the committee was founded in 1924, the treasurer was a Mr Moore and the secretary was a Mrs Brock.

“Northwich folk will know those names. Moore and Brock's was a building suppliers on Leicester Street for many years.

RNLI ambassador, Chris Smith (left) with Northwich committee chairman, Graham Humphries (Image: John Nattrass)

“We've discovered in about 1912, Hoylake lifeboat crew rescued a ship off the Wirral which was owned by a company associated with Moore and Brock’s.

“We think it was this rescue which prompted Moore and Brock’s to get behind the RNLI in Northwich, and eventually to form a fundraising committee.”

RNLI ambassador Chris also presented the committee with a certificate to commemorate the group's 100-year commitment to saving lives at sea.

John added: “A lot of people don’t even know there’s a Northwich RNLI committee, which can make it difficult when we’re looking for new volunteers.

“Like many committees of this sort, a lot of us are getting older.

“If there’s anyone in town who would like to help support the RNLI through fundraising, we’d very much urge them to get in touch.”

If you'd like to learn more about the work of RNLI in Northwich, visit its website, which includes contact details.